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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

OF COUNTRY

We acknowledge and pay

respect to the first nations

people as the original and

ongoing custodians of this

land. We commit ourselves

to actively work alongside

indigenous people for

reconciliation and justice.

LITURGY

Incense burner is in

place as a

central focus.

To begin the prayer,

grains of incense are

placed on the coals,

symbol of our prayer

rising to God.

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GATHERING PRAYER

Leader: We have come together O God of the Second Chance to acknowledge our sin, to weep in the name of our Church,

to beg forgiveness for the wrong we have done.

All: Open your arms, O God of the Second Chance; pull us out of the mirey deep,

lift us from the sea of fear, guide us to the promised shore.

Leader: Breathe forgiveness and peace into our bodies and souls, soothe our hearts with hope, steady our shaken spirits with faith.

All: Breathe peace into our bodies and souls, soothe our troubled hearts with hope, steady our shaken spirits with faith.

Leader: Inspire us to act with justice, to care with tenderness, to love with abandon. We ask this in Christ’s name. Amen

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THE ANGUISHED WORD

The prophet of Lamentations speaks from the heart: I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit; you heard my plea, “Do not close your ear to my cry for help, but give me relief!” You came near when I called on you; you said, “Do not fear!” You have taken up my cause, O Lord, you have redeemed my life. You have seen the wrong done to me, O Lord; judge my cause. You have seen all their malice, all their plots against me.

Lamentations 3:55-60 NRSV Pause

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SURVIVOR STEVE’S WORD

Steve came from a devout Catholic family which often had priests and

brothers visit their home. In year 8, Steve was invited to go on a

camping trip of 8 boys organised by one of the Brothers from his

school.

One night, the Brother running the camp asked Steve to come into

his tent and that’s when the abuse started. Steve was frightened,

confused and he froze. He didn’t say anything to his parents when

he got home as he didn’t think they would believe him. At various

times over the next few months Steve would be called into this

Brother’s classroom, when all the other boys were at lunch or gone

home and the sexual abuse would continue.

Steve tried to find excuses to avoid this Brother and started to get into

trouble at school. His studies deteriorated, and though he begged his

parents to change schools, they never agreed hoping the tough

discipline of the Brothers would help Steve improve at school. He

finally left school in Year 10. He always felt an underlying resentment

and anger that had a negative effect on all his relationships.

Steve came forward about the abuse he experienced at school when

he was 50, He had a failed marriage, broken relationships with his

adult children and a failed business behind him. His father had died

a year or so earlier and he now felt free to come forward. Though he

was suicidal when he first disclosed the abuse, he took up the offer

of counselling and has found the therapeutic assistance very helpful.

He also confided in his mother and her loving and accepting

response was a great comfort to Steve. He has started a training

course and feels confident things will improve.

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Hungering after healing and justice the prophet Jeremiah, a survivor, speaks: Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved. You are my refuge in the day of disaster. Let my persecutors be shamed, but do not let me be shamed; let them be dismayed, but do not let me be dismayed.

Jeremiah 17:14, 17b-18 NRSV Pause

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SURVIVOR GREG’S WORD

Greg attended the local Catholic high school and was from a

troubled family, his mother had died when he was 10 and his father

was absent much of the time, due to work and his alcohol

dependence.

Greg felt very special when he was chosen by one of the Brothers to

help clean up at the Brothers’ residence on Saturdays and received

special treats. It was when he was invited to go for swims at the pool

and later asked to shower in the change rooms that the abuse

started. Greg was only 12 and didn’t really understand what was

happening and was too embarrassed to say anything. So, the abuse

went on regularly for a few months until the Brother stopped inviting

him and that confused him even more as he felt rejected.

He told his Dad but was beaten for “telling lies about the Brothers”.

He left school as soon as he could at 15 and found work in various

unskilled positions.

Greg had a troubled life with drug and alcohol abuse, failed

relationships and low paid employment. He’s now in his 50s and was

always worried the abuse he experienced would happen to other

children. He disclosed the abuse to the Order and went to the police,

to make sure his perpetrator wasn’t still able “to get to other kids”.

When he found out his abuser was already in gaol he was relieved

and affirmed in coming forward, despite the stress.

Greg lives on his own and has faithful dogs as his companions. He is

supported by a small group of friends and a psychologist who has

provided regular therapy sessions. Though life is tough in many ways,

he felt affirmed by knowing “justice had been dealt”.

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Silence

Musical arrangement

suggestions:

▪ Out of the Depths - Ruth Fazal

▪ Out of The Depths - Sovereign Grace

▪ Out of the Depths - Psalm 130 - James Block

▪ Out of The Depths - Michael Talbot

▪ Lacrimosa, from Requiem for a Friend – Zbigniew Preisner

▪ Lacrimosa, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1-TrAvp_xshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1-TrAvp_xs

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THE GOSPEL WORD

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’ Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came towards Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

Matthew 14:22-33 Silence

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RITUAL

All are invited to place grains of incense

on the burner, symbol of our sinfulness

burning itself up.

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LITANY OF SORROW AND PROMISE

Leader: From troubled waters

All: We cry to you for help.

Leader: As the waters begin to consume us

All: We grasp your outstretched hand.

Leader: In the darkest hour of the night

All: You come to us.

Leader: In our storm-tossed Church

All: You are God-with-us.

Leader: Hold us

All: Walk with us

Leader: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Rise, clasp my hand and come.

All: Christ Jesus, we cling to you. Forever shall you be our God. Forever shall we be your people. Forever shall we place our trust in you.

Leader: With such prayer in our hearts we turn to you in faith and hope.

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All: Change us into faithful disciples, who commit to listening, believing, supporting, and doing all we can, to ensure that the tragedies of the past never happen again.

Fill our hearts with strength, sensitivity and goodness that infinitely exceed all we could ever ask for.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

Amen

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HYMN: Prayer of St Francis

Make me a channel of your peace Where there is hatred, let me bring your love Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord And where there’s doubt, true faith in you Make me a channel of your peace Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope Where there is darkness only light, And where there’s sadness ever joy Oh Master, grant that I may never seek So much to be consoled as to console To be understood as to understand To be loved as to love with all my soul Make me a channel of your peace It is in pardoning that we are pardoned In giving of ourselves that we receive And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.

PROMISE STATEMENT

As Catholic Religious of Australia, we are stirred by sorrow for the failings of the past. We encounter the depth of pain endured within our midst.

WE promise to listen to and support those who have been harmed by abuse

WE promise to act to prevent abuse, respond with compassion and justice and put the protection of children and the vulnerable at the heart of all our ministries

WE promise to support all those walking courageously with the abused and those working fearlessly for the prevention of abuse

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WE promise to work tirelessly and humbly to build a culture in our Church which is loving and answerable to the wider community WE promise to partner with those who have been abused, with governments, civil agencies and society at large to continue to learn and work towards a safer, more respectful and accountable Church WE promise to be people of action, to embed prevention and safeguarding practices and governance reforms throughout our Church WE promise to remember and to be forever changed

______ 25 October 2020

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WITH THANKS

Catholic Religious Australia wishes to express its gratitude to the following

people for their work in creating this liturgy:

Elizabeth Brennan SGS

Tom McDonough CP

James Parker

Jill O’Brien SGS

Ann O’Brien

P: +61 2 9557 2695 www.catholicreligious.org.au

E: secretariat@catholicreligious.org.au LEVEL 2, 9 MOUNTS STREET, NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2060

P O BOX 1518, NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2059

http://www.catholicreligious.org.au/mailto:secretariat@catholicreligious.org.au